A shattered illusion is a sorrowful experience; but a life without illusion is a sorrowful life

In war, there are no unwounded soldiers.

We protest against unjust criticism but we accept unarmed applause.

What is called poetic insight is the gift of discerning, in this sphere of strangely-mingled elements, the beauty and the majesty which are compelled to assume a garb so sordid.

Be what you are.

What we need, we have.

The loser is usually the one who is ready to lose. Fight, overcome difficulties, control your emotions – and you will win.

That slow poison [slavery] is daily contaminating the minds and morals of our people. Every gentlemen here is born a petty tyrant, practiced in acts of despotism and cruelty.

I like to dry brush which is really detoxifying for the skin. Exercise is also really important for me for balance and to get those endorphins going.

Homophobia's just one form of abjection, and wherever you have a marker of deviance - skin colour, gender, gender identity, disability - you get the same mechanisms of prejudice.

It's four in the morning, the end of december I'm writing you now just to see if you're better.

Even the frankest and bravest of subordinates do not talk with their boss the same way they talk with colleagues.

Before I give my body, I must give my thoughts, my mind, my dreams.